Hygrometric devices for sprinkling plants



Feb. 25, 1964 R. MARTINON ETAL HYGROMETRIC DEVICES FOR SPRINKLING PLANTS Filed July 27, 1962 Patented Feb. 25, 1954 3,122,155 HYGRQMETRIC DEVEES FUR SPRZNKLING PLANT S Robert Martinon, 30/32 Paul Bert, Auxerre, Yonne, France, and Henri Cohige, 15/ 17 Rue Leon Moi-211e, Paris '15, Seine, Franc-e Filed July 27, 1962, Ser. No. 212.3%7 Qlaims priority, application France Sept. 28, 1961 Claims, (Cl. 137-89) The present vention relates to sprinkling devices and more particularly to an automatic device for controlling a cock, a valve or the like, as a function of atmospheric conditions and notably of th hygrometric state or" the air. A device of this character is intended more particularly for controlling apparatus of the type used for sorinlding domestic gardens. With this device an owner may leave his garden unattended during several days, weeks or months, without being likely that the plants suffer from dryness.

The device according to this invention is particularly simple. It is characterized in that it comprises a vessel, fioat means mounted in said vessel, valve means for introducing a liquid into said vessel, means for promoting the evaporation of said liqui' from said vessel, and means for operatively connecting said that means to a device controlling said valve means, whereby said valve means is open or closed according to the position of said float which depends in turn on the degree of filling of said vessel.

According to another feature of this invention, the means for introducing a liquid in said vessel are so controlled that liquid is admitted into said vessel only when said valve means is open.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of example only and illustrating diagrammatically a typical embodiment of the invention. In the drawing:

Fl-GURE 1 is an vertical section of a device constructed according to the invention along line ll of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 2 is a detail View showing on a larger scale, in axial section, the valve member of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a half elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;

FLGURE 4 is a detail view showing in axial section a nozzle incorporated in the device of this invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing on a larger scale the top portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, the section being taken along a plane extending at right angles to the section of FZGURE l.

in the example illustrated the apparatus according to this invention consists of a vessel 19 carried by a support ll, this vessel comprising a double wall, that is, an outer wall 12 and an inner wall 13 defining therebetween an annular space 14. This annular space 114 communicates with the inside ls: of vessel i by orifices 15 formed through the lower portion of the inner wall 13. The height of the inner wall 12 of vessel it) is smaller than that of the inner wall 13 and this inner wall is formed at its upper portion with an annular shoulder providing an upstanding collar 17 forming an annular recess at the top of the outer wall 12. This recess contains one or more wicks 18 of a moisture-absorbing material such as felt or the like. These Wicks 18 extend downwardly to the bottom of the annular space 14 and have their upper portions wound about a tubular member 19 solid with the vessel 16, the ends 26 of these wicks being threaded in the annular recess formed by the shoulder 17 so that the wick or wicks are held in position by friction or by means of screws (not shown). The purpose of these wicks will be explained hereinafter.

The vessel 16 proper comprises a lid 21 provided or not with vent holes, and the vessel It is provided with a drain plug 86 and an overflow orifice 81.

Mounted in the vessel 16 is a float 3 either hollow or made of light material, for example of expanded polystyrene. Through this float extends a rod 24 carrying on its lower end a permanent magnet 3t? and a set of washers 26 threaded on the rod 24 between said magnet and the lower face of the fioat. The rodZ-i has a screw-threaded upper portion, the float 23 being locked between the set or washers and a nut 25 screwed on the screw-threaded portion of rod 24.

The upper end of rod 24 extends into a tubular member 22 projecting from the underface or lid 21 and the assembly comprising the magnet 3% and the set of washers 26 is adapted to slide freely in a tubular socket 31 secured by welding, screwing, etc. on the edges of an orifice 32 formed in the bottom of vessel 16, said socket 31 extending coaxially to the tubular member 22 in order to guide the float 23 which may be assisted by a spring 27. A sealing gasket (not shown) is fitted between the socket 31 and the edges of orifice 32 to prevent any leakage from the vessel.

The lower end of socket 31 is closed by a fluid-tight wall, partition or diaphragm 33 which is pervious to the magnetic flux.

Screwed on the socket 31 projecting at least partially from the bottom of vessel it is the body or" a valve 34. This valve 34 comprises inlet and outlet pipes 35, 36 respectively both opening into a chamber 3% in which is mounted a valve member 3?, adapted to enga e the seatforming edges of the port leading to an outlet pipe as.

This valve member 33 dividing the chamber 39 into two spaces comprises a leakage hole 49 (see FIGURE 2) permitting the ingress of fluid from the source of fluid under pressure into the upper portion of chamber 39. A duct 43. connected to another chamber 42 of which one wall consists of the diaphragm 33 leads into the upper portion of chamber 39. In the wall of chamber 42 which is opposite to diaphragm 33 is provided an orifice 43 which connects this chamber, through a passage 44 and an elbow-shaped pipe 44a to the outlet pipe 3 6, downstream of valve 34-. This orifice 43 is adapted to be closed by a smaller valve member mounted on a mag- .etic support 46 adapted to slide freely in chamber 42 for engaging either the diaphragm 33 or the edges of orifice 43.

As will be seen more particularly in FIGURE 3, a pipe line 58 communicating with the elbow-s ped pipe is connected to the outlet pipe 36, and comprises at its upper end a cook or other regulating device 51 for delivering liquid to the top of vessel i in the example illustrated (see FIGURE 3) this device consists of an injector 51 adapted to spray the liquid over the lid 21, this liquid subsequently running all over the lid 21, howing into the annular space 1 and then, through the orifices 15, into the vessel proper.

As shown in FIGURE 4-, the injection device 51 consists of a tubular ii ember 54 connected to the pipe line 5b through a lateral port 55. This tubular member 54 comprises an internally threaded portion 55 and has one end closed by a nozzle 5'7 screwed on this portion 56 and formed with an outflarine central orifice 52. A toroidal ring 5? is interposed between a flange 58 formed on the nozzle 57 and the end of tube 54. The opposite end of tubular member 54 is closed by a screw plug 69 comprising a head 61 (for example of hexagonal configuration) and a screw-t -eaded portion 62 with a the top of lid 2 plain extension d3 of smaller diameter having a fiat end face parallel to the registering inner face of nozzle 57. This device permits an accurate adjustment of the output of nozzle 57. In fact, the registering faces of plug 60 and nozzle 57 are very close to each other (thus, their relative spacing may be of the order of .001 or .002") whereby any impurities will accumulate on the outer periphery of the registering faces and those impurities tending to penetrate or develop in the tube 54 will be trapped without any possibility of reaching the orifice 52. Preferably, the plug 60 and nozzle 57 are made from materials having different coelficients of expansion, so that, under the influence of temperature variations, the aforesaid registering faces of members 66 and 57 will alternately move away and toward each other, thus eliminating or crushing these impurities.

If desired, a filter 64 consisting for example of a cotton wick may be fitted in the tubular member 56.

Finally, as shown more particularly in FIGURE 5, the rod 24 may be associated with a thermosensitive device adapted to lock same against the lid 21 when the emperature exceeds a predetermined limit. This deice consists in the example illustrated of a bimetallic strip 70 having its two ends 71 and '72 secured on the vessel and extending through a slot 73 formed in the rod 24.

The device described hereinabove operates as follows:

Firstly, the valve is connected to a water supply and to a distributing pipe system, for example the system provided for sprinkling a garden.

Assuming that the vessel is empty, the float 23 is in its lowermost position, the magnet 3% bearing on the diaphragm 3-3 and the smaller value member 45 attracted by magnet 36 is urged against. diaphragm 33. Under these conditions, it will be seen that the liquid contained in the upper portion of chamber 39 and in chamber 42 is discharged more rapidly from these chambers, than it penetrates there n through the orifice 45 formed in the valve member 33. As the liquid pressure acts against the lower faced this valve member 38, the latter is unseated andthe liquid flows through the valve. When 7 the liquid is flowing through the valve, it penetrates into the branch line and is spread by the nozzle 51 over The liquid delivered by nozzle'51 to the vessel accumulates gradually therein. When a suihcient quantity of water has filled the vessel, the float 23 lifts the magnet 3 thereby moving same away from the diaphragm 33 and the smaller valve member 45 is released and closes the orifice 43. At this time the liquid penetrating into the upper portion of chamber 3? and chamber 42 through the leakage orifice 4% cannot escape to the exhaust and the pressures prevailing in the upper portion of chamber and in the feed line balance each other gradually. At this time the valve member 38 is reseated to close the valve 34, and the supply of liquid to nozzle 51 is discontinued.

The water contained in the vessel evaporates continuously, notably from the surface of the annular space 14 i. and more particularly from the wicks 18. As a result,

the water level in the vessel decreases gradually. When this level has decreased sufficiently to cause the float to bring the .magnet 3t nearer to the diaphragm 33, the valve member 55 is attracted by this magnet, thus becoming unseated and opening the valve 34.

On the other hand it would not be convenient to sprinkle flowers and plants during the warmest periods ofthe day, notably when the sun shines. To prevent.

the device from-operating automatically during these periods, there is provided a bimetallic strip device,-as shown more in FEGURE 4. This device undergoes a certain deformation under the influence of a substantial temperature 'increaseand causes therod 24 to engage f lower than that necessary for causing the operation of the apparatus. When the temperature falls the bimetallic strip 27 is straightened and permits the free sliding movement of rod 24 in tubular member 22, thus enabling the float 23 to drop and actuate the valve 34.

The apparatus described hereinabove is characterized by many advantageous features. 011 the one hand, the control of the opening and closing of the valve is fully automatic, and permits of dispensing with any electrical device which would be not only costly but also hazardous in outdoor installations. On the other hand, the volume or" sprinkling water is constant, irrespective of the feed pressure. In fact, the injection device 51 which is adjustable by the user delivers, once properly adjusted, a volume of water which is proportional to the volume of water delivered to the sprinkling circuit and under these conditions the higher the pressure the greater the output, and the shorter the time required for filling the vessel, which corresponds to the sprinkling time, and viceversa.

Moreover, the sprinkling is carried out by the apparatus as a function of Weather conditions. Thus, if the atmospheric air is very dry the vessel content will evaporate more rapidly, and the sprinkling periods will be separated by shorter time intervals.

Of course, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the single form of embodiment shown and described herein which is given by way of example only and to which many modifications and variations may be brought without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What We claim is:

1. Device for automatically controlling a valve having control means, as a function of atmospheric conditions, which comprises a vessel, a float disposed in said vessel, means for introducing a liquid into said vessel, other means promoting the evaporation'ot said liquid from said vessel, temperature responsive means associated with said float and adaptedto hold it in its momentary poition when the temperature exceeds a certain predetermined value and means for operatively connecting said float to said valve control means whereby said valve is open or closed according to the position of said float.

2. Control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature responsive means consists of a bimetallic strip having both ends secured on 'said vessel so that the strip undergoes a certain deformation under the influence of a temperature increase, said strip being located in the vicinity of said float and adapted, when said deformation occurs, to urge said float against said vessel so as to hold said float against motion in relation to said vesse a 3. Control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vessel comprises a lid, a tubular member projecting from the underface of said lid within said vessel, said float carrying on its top a rod extending coaXially to and sliding in said said bimetallic'strip having its ends secured on said vessel and extending through said slot.

4. Device for automatically controlling a valve having control means, as a function of atmospheric conditions, which comprises a vessel having a wall element of a material previous to magnetic flux, a float disposed in said' vessel, means for introducing a liquid into said 'vessel,

from, as a function of the vessel filling, said valve con trol means being responsive to magnetic flux and located in close vicinity of said wall element so that'said valve can be actuated by the movement of said magnet to open .or close said valve according to the position of said float tubular member, a slot formed in said rod,

which depends in turn on the degree of filling of said vessel.

5. Device for automatically controlling a valve as a function of atmospheric conditions, which comprises a vessel having a lid and a bottom, a float disposed in said vessel, means for introducing a liquid into said vessel, other means promoting the evaporation of said liquid from said vessel, a tubular member secured internally of said lid and extending substantially coaxially to said vessel, an axial orifice in said bottom, a tubular socket surrounding said orifice externally of said vessel, a wall element permeable to magnetic flux and closing the free end of said socket, a rod extending axially through and rigid with said float, said rod penetrating with its upper end into said tubular member and with its lower end into said orifice, said rod carrying on said lower end a permanent magnet sliding in said socket, said valve comprising a body, a first chamber in said body, a valve member disposed in said chamber and dividing same into two portions, inlet and outlet ports in one of said portions, the edges of one of said ports constituting the seat of said valve member, another chamber formed in said body, a duct connecting the other portion of said first chamber to said other chamber, another duct connecting said other chamber to a discharge outlet, a movable valve member for closing said other duct, a magnetic member rigid with said movable valve member, a port in said other chamber, and means surrounding said last-named port for securing said body on said socket whereby said valve is open or closed according to the position of said float which depends in turn on the degree of filling of said vessel.

6. Device for automatically controlling a valve having control means as a function of atmospheric conditions, which comprises a vessel having an inner lateral wall and an outer lateral wall forming an annular space therebetween, orifices formed through said inner wall for con necting said annular space with said inner space or said vessel, a float disposed in said vessel, means for introducing a liquid into said vessel, means for facilitating the evaporation of said liquid from said vessel and consisting of liquid-absorbing wicks disposed in said annular space and means for operatively connecting said float to said control means whereby said valve is open or closed according to the position of said float which depends in turn on the degree of filling of said vessel.

7. Device for automatically controlling a valve having control means as a function of atmospheric conditions, which comprises a vessel, a float disposed in said vessel, adjustable means for delivering liquid into said vessel consisting of an injection device comprising a tubular element open at either ends and formed with internal threads, an orifice formed through the wall of said tubular member in the vicinity of one end therefor for supplying liquid thereto, a nozzle consisting of a substantially cylindrical member formed with an axial orifice of outflared configuration and with an externally threaded portion, said nozzle being screwed in said tubular member at its end opposite to said outflared orifice, a screw plug formed with a head connected to an integral screw-threaded portion having a plain extension of smaller diameter and screwed on the other end of said tubular member to permit the adjustment of the liquid output through said nozzle by throttling said liquid between the registering end faces of said plug and nozzle, other means promoting the evaporation of said liquid from said vessel, and means for operatively connecting said float to said control means whereby said valve is open or closed according to the position of said float which depends in turn on the degree of filling of said vessel.

8. Control device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said registering end faces of said plug and nozzle consists of parallel flat faces disposed at a relatively short distance from each other.

9. Control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said two parallel flat faces are spaced about .001" to .010" from each other.

10. Control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plug and said nozzle are made from materials having diiferent coeflicients of thermal expansion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,147,800 Ihrig July 27, 1915 2,599,498 Suska June 3, 1952 2,613,989 Smith Oct. 14, 1952 2,675,817 Hartlett Apr. 20, 1954 2,965,117 Gallacher Dec. 20, 1960 

1. DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A VALVE HAVING CONTROL MEANS, AS A FUNCTION OF ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS, WHICH COMPRISES A VESSEL, A FLOAT DISPOSED IN SAID VESSEL, MEANS FOR INTRODUCING A LIQUID INTO SAID VESSEL, OTHER MEANS PROMOTING THE EVAPORATION OF SAID LIQUID FROM SAID VESSEL, TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FLOAT AND ADAPTED TO HOLD IT IN ITS MOMENTARY POSITION WHEN THE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS A CERTAIN PREDETERMINED VALUE AND MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID FLOAT TO SAID VALVE CONTROL MEANS WHEREBY SAID VALVE IS OPEN OR CLOSED ACCORDING TO THE POSITION OF SAID FLOAT. 